The Fine Gael leader , Mr John Bruton, has pledged to fight every stage of the Finance Bill to force a reversal of the Budget's controversial tax proposals for two-income families. At a function in the Ardboyne Hotel in Navan last night to celebrate 30 years in the Dail, Mr Bruton said the Government showed an alarming lack of political skill and competence in preparing the Budget.
"It is hard to imagine how a Minister with so much money to give away could manage to cause so much division and hurt in society," he said.
Mr Bruton was joined by most members of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, his wife Finola and family, and constituency workers to celebrate his 30 years as a TD.
In his address, Mr Bruton said the Budget was "deeply divisive" and contravened the Constitution.
"The State has no right to intervene to force a woman out to work by financially penalising the family if she decides to stay at home," he said.
"Mark my words, they will be reversed, either by the Supreme Court or by a new Government - whichever comes sooner. The present, fair system of taxing families will be restored."
Ms Finola Bruton paid tribute to her husband, who was elected to the Dail in 1969 and whose first job was as a junior whip of the party in opposition. "He says it was the most nerve-wracking job he ever did," she said.
He became leader of Fine Gael in 1990 and one of his first acts was to call for a change in Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution.
Ms Bruton said her husband always believed that peace would only be permanent in Ireland if nationalists and unionists changed the way they thought about on another.
"I believe he has done more than any other leader to change the attitudes of unionists towards the South, thereby making North/South co-operation something that unionists were at last prepared to accept in the Good Friday agreement." Mr Bruton produced the famous Budget in 1982 which failed to be carried due to the proposal to put VAT on children's shoes.